February is National Children’s Dental Health Month, dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of good oral hygiene for children. Your little one’s first lines of defense against preventable dental issues are their toothbrush and floss. You can get your child excited to brush and floss with 3 oral hygiene products to celebrate the month.
1. Electric Toothbrush
As soon as your little one’s first baby tooth breaks through their gums, it’s time to start brushing their teeth twice daily. As your child grows, they’ll learn to brush on their own, but they often don’t have good techniques. They might rush through brushing, push too hard, or skip it altogether.
An electric toothbrush can make up for their shortcomings because it offers more brush strokes per minute. Many electric options also come with various features, like pressure sensors and timers, to ensure your child is brushing correctly.
2. Waterflosser
As your child’s primary teeth are replaced by their permanent set, they’ll need to floss every day. However, traditional floss and dental flossers can be difficult for small hands to use. You can avoid gum injuries and inflammation by gifting a waterflosser.
The small handheld device is easy to use. Gentle water pressure cleans the most hard-to-reach areas in their mouth to keep their gums healthy.
3. Fun-Flavored Mouthwash
A mouthwash isn’t always necessary, but it can help keep your child’s mouth healthy. Fluoride mouthwash can strengthen their enamel to make it more resistant to tooth decay and kill harmful bacteria that may be hiding in their mouth.
Schedule a Cleaning and Checkup
Besides good oral hygiene at home, regular dental care is equally important. Your child should begin seeing their dentist every 6 months by their first birthday. Their dentist will monitor their developing smile to look for anything concerning to intervene quickly. They’ll teach your little one how to care for their teeth and gums at home while building a trusted relationship with your child. This will ensure stress-free appointments over the years. Researchers have also found that early dental care contributes to a lifelong commitment to good oral health.
Brushing and flossing don’t have to feel like a chore. You can encourage excellent oral hygiene habits and promote your child’s overall wellness by celebrating National Children’s Dental Health Month.
About Dr. Alison Fitzgerald
Dr. Fitzgerald earned her dental degree at the Creighton School of Dentistry and has regularly continued her education in many services, like progressive orthodontics, sleep-disordered breathing, and restorations. She provides services for patients of all ages. Request an appointment through her website or call her office at (520) 332-6224.